18 Some people like
to do things their own
way. They get upset when people give
them advice.
2A foolish person
doesn’t want to learn
from other people. That person only wants to
tell his own ideas.
3People don’t like
an evil person. People
make fun of that foolish person.
4The words of a
wise man are like water
bubbling up from a deep well—the well of
wisdom!
5{You
must be fair in judging people.} If
you let guilty people go free then you are not
being fair to good people. 6A foolish person
causes himself trouble with
the things he says. His words can start fights.
7When a foolish
person talks, he ruins
himself. His own words trap him.
8People always want
to hear gossip—it is
like good food going down into the stomach.
9A person that does
sloppy work is almost
as bad as a person that destroys things.
10There is much
strength in the name of the
Lord. It is like a strong tower. Good people
can run to him and be safe.
11Rich people think
that their wealth will
protect them. They think that it is like a
strong fort.
12A proud person
will soon be ruined. But
an humble person will be honored.
13You should let
other people finish speaking
before you try to answer them. That way you
won’t be embarrassed and appear foolish.
14A good attitude
gives a person support
when he is ill, but no one can cheer up* a
person with a bad attitude.
15The wise person
always wants to learn
more. That person listens closely for more
wisdom.
16If you want to
meet an important person,
give him a gift. Then you can easily get to
meet him.
17The first person
to speak always seems
right until someone comes and questions him.
18If two powerful
people are arguing,
throwing lots* may be the best way to decide
the argument.
19If you insult
your friend, then he will be
harder to win back than a city with strong
walls. And arguments separate people like
palace gates with strong bars across them.
20The things you
say affect your life. If you
say good things, then good things will happen
to you. But if you say bad things, then bad
things will happen to you.
21The tongue can
speak words that bring
life or death. And people who love to talk
must be ready to accept what it brings.
22If you find a
wife, then you have found a
good thing. She shows that the Lord is happy
with you.
23A poor person
will beg for help, but a rich
person is rude when he answers.
24Some friends are
fun to be with.* But a
close friend can be even better than a brother.

cheer up Literally, “lift up” or
“heal.”
lots Sticks, stones, or pieces of bone used like dice for
making
decisions.
Some friends are fun to be with Or, “Some friends can bring
disaster.”

19 It is better to
be poor and honest than to
be a fool that tells lies and cheats people.
2Being excited
about something is not
enough. You must also know what you are
doing. You should not rush into something or
you will do it wrong.
3A person’s own
foolishness will ruin his
life. But he will blame the Lord.
4If a person is
rich, then his wealth will
bring him many friends. But if a person is
poor, all his friends will leave him.
5A person who tells
a lie against another
person will be punished. The person who tells
lies will not be safe.
6Many people want
to be friends with a
generous person. Everyone wants to be the
friend of a person who gives gifts.
7If a person is
poor, then even his family is
against him. And all of his friends turn away
from him. That poor person can beg them for
help. But they will not go near him.
8If a person really
likes himself, then he
will work hard to become wise. He will try
hard to understand, and he will get his reward.
9A lying witness
must be punished! The
person who tells lies will be destroyed.
10A foolish person
should not be rich. That
would be like a slave ruling over princes.
11If a person is
wise, that wisdom gives him
patience. And it is wonderful when he forgives
people who do wrong to him.
12Angry words from
a king are like the
roars of a lion. But compliments from him are
like a gentle rain falling softly on the grass.
13A foolish son can
bring a flood of
troubles to his father. And a nagging wife is
like water that won’t stop dripping.
14People get houses
and money from their
parents. But a good wife is a gift from the Lord.
15Laziness brings
sleepiness. Trying to hide
{a problem} brings more problems.* 16If a person obeys
the law, then he protects
himself. But the person that hates to live by
the law will die by the law.
17Giving money to
poor people is like
loaning it to the Lord. The Lord will pay you
back for being kind to them.
18Teach your son
and punish him when he is
wrong. That is the only hope. If you refuse to do
this, then you are helping him destroy himself.
19A person with a
short temper must pay
the price. The more you get him out of
trouble, the worse he becomes.
20Listen to advice
and accept discipline.
Then you will become wise.
21People get a lot
of ideas, but only the
Lord’s plan will happen.
22Everyone wants a
true and loyal friend—it is better to be poor than a person that can’t
be trusted.
23A person who
respects the Lord has a
good life. That person is satisfied with his life
and doesn’t have to worry about troubles.
24Some people are
too lazy to take care of
themselves—they are too lazy to lift their food
from their plate to their mouth!
25Some people show
no respect for
anything—those foolish people must be
punished and forced to learn their lesson. But
for a wise person, it’s enough just to tell them
that they did wrong.
26A person who
steals from his father and
chases his mother away is a disgusting,
shameful person.
27If you stop
listening to instructions, then
you will keep making stupid mistakes.
28A lying witness
makes justice nothing but a
joke! The things evil people say bring more evil.
29The person who
thinks that he is better
than other people will be punished. That
foolish person must be punished!